The Withrow Family of Henry County, Illinois

One of the distinctive features of the smaller cities and towns of Illinois is the residence of retired agriculturists who have settled down adjacent to their farms which were the scenes of former labor and are now enjoying themselves with plenty of time to look into civic affairs and to give their communities the benefit of their experience. One of the respected retired farmers of Genesee is Amariah Withrow, who was born in White county, Illinois, May 4, 183 1, a son of Neely and Paula (Everlith) Withrow. The father was born February 16, 1810, and the mother February 6, 1806, both being natives of New York state. Later they removed to Kentucky and then to White county, Illinois, probably several years before Amariah Withrow was born. In 1836 they settled in Phenix township, Henry county, at a time when the Indians were still troublesome. The father was first a whig and later a republican. His death occurred January 23, 1839, but his widow survived him until June 25, 1891, and both were interred in the Phenix cemetery. They were married May 20, 1830. Five children were born to them, three of whom survive: Amariah, the subject of this review; John Wesley, born October 19, 1834, who lives in Geneseo; and Neely, born August 20, 1839, who lives in Central City, Nebraska. On February 24, 1841, Mrs. Withrow married Harvey Hiksox, who was born August 27, 1819, and died November 4, 1853. They had three children, all of whom died in childhood, except Eunice, who passed away February 7, 1897. She was the wife of Asoph King and lived in Central City, Nebraska.

Amariah Withrow attended school during the winter from the time he was ten years old until he was thirteen, when not otherwise engaged, and one term after he had attained his majority. He remained with his mother and stepfather until twenty-one years old and when he was twenty-five he had saved sufficient money to purchase forty acres of land in Phenix township. To this he kept adding until he now owns one hundred acres and at one time he had much more land but has disposed of some of it. Until 1895 he carried on general farming, but in that year he removed to Geneseo, where he built a comfortable house on North Aldrich street, which continues to be his home. He is a republican but advocates the temperance movement, and he is active in the Methodist church, of which he is a member.

On August 8, 1856, Mr. Withrow married Mary J. Huston, who was born in Ohio, October 6, 1832, a daughter of John D. and Margaret (Elder) Huston. The father was born in Ireland in the early part of 1800, while the mother was born in Pennsylvania. He came to America when sixteen and was a carter by trade. Both he and his wife died in Ohio. They had seven children, but Mrs. Withrow is now the only survivor. Mr. and Mrs. Withrow have had seven children, four of whom are living, and all were born in Phenix township: Eva Marian, born August 28, 1857, died at the age of three years; Sylvestor died when one month old; Ellis E. died at the age of thirteen months; William, born April 5, 1862, married Pearle Merriman, of Geneseo, and they live on the homestead; Letha Amelia, born in 1864, married Sheldon Farber and they live near Princeton, Iowa and have six children, Guy, Floyd, Ethel, Leonard, Jesse and Vera; Lucinda, born June 25, 1867, married Clarence Ray, lives in Monmouth, Illinois, and while she has no children of her own she has adopted her husband's daughter; and Jerome, born July 22, 1869, married Bessie Magnuson and they live in Geneseo township and have two children, Ellen and Carl. Mrs. Withrow is also a member of the Methodist church, and is an earnest, devout Christian lady.

Mr. Withrow is a self-made man and he admits that his wife has borne an important part in securing his success. Some of his pioneer recollections are extremely interesting and if space permitted the insertion of them in full would be desirable. He has seen Indians living in their wild state in Illinois, and when his family arrived here, they were one of three white household in Henry county. To these three white families there were one hundred Indians, but now nothing remains of the red men but a few relics, while the descendants of the paper face inhabit the land. Mr. Withrow is a kind-hearted, earnest man, kind toward all and extremely proud of his children and wife.

As printed in the source¹. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.

JOHN WESLEY WITHROW.

In the history of the residents of Henry county to whom success in life has come as the reward of persistent and earnest labor and, who, because of their former activity in business affairs, are now enabled to live retired, mention should be made of John Wesley Withrow, who was formerly connected with farming interests, but now makes his home in Geneseo, enjoying a rest which he has truly earned and richly deserves.

When central and northern Illinois was still largely a pioneer district, his birth occurred in White county, this state, on the 19th of October, 1834. His parents were Neely and Polly (Eveleth) Withrow, the former born near Louisville, Kentucky, and the latter in New Harmony, Pennsylvania. The Withrow family is of Irish descent. The grandfather, William Withrow, was a native of Kentucky and followed the occupation of farming in order to provide for his family. He married Rebecca Dagley, and both lived to an old age, rearing a family of eight children, namely: Neely, Samuel, Polly, Rebecca, William, John, Rachel and Charles. The maternal grandfather of John W. Withrow was a native of Pennsylvania and died in early manhood. His widow afterward joined the colony at New Harmony, Pennsylvania, and subsequently became one of the pioneer women of White county, Illinois, living near Shawneetown. She, too, however, was comparatively young when called to her final rest and at her death left five children: Sylvester, Cyrenus, Mrs. Abigail Hull Mrs. Amanda Walton and Polly. It was the last named who became the wife of Neely Withrow, who in his early boyhood had accompanied his parents on their removal from Kentucky to White county, Illinois. In 1835 he arrived in Henry county, stopping first in Red Oak Grove, near Bishop Hill, with his brother Samuel. They built a double log cabin and remained there until the fall of 1836, when they removed to Phenix township and first took up claims, while later they purchased land from the government. Neely Withrow began to improve his farm and built a house and placed some of the land under cultivation, but his death occurred there January 25, 1839, when he was not quite twenty-nine years of age. He was recognized as a man of genuine personal worth and as a public spirited citizen, and was elected the first justice of the peace in his township. His widow long survived him and reached the venerable age of eighty-six years, her birth having occurred February 12, 1806, while she died in 1892. Both Mr. and Mrs. Withrow were devout members of the Methodist church. Their children numbered four sons and a daughter: Amariah, now living in Geneseo; James, deceased; John Wesley; Lucy, who became the wife of Robert Barge and has passed away; and Neely, living in Central City, Nebraska.

John Wesley Withrow was only one year old when brought by his parents to Henry county, where he has lived continuously since 1835. He was reared in Phenix township and attended the old time subscription schools in the days when the teacher "boarded 'round." It was an old log schoolhouse, made without any nails, the logs being fastened together with pins, with a luncheon floor and seats made of split slabs. It was heated by a fireplace and the birch rod formed a terrifying feature in the matter of discipline. Later when the district schools were organized Mr. Withrow pursued his education therein. He was only five years of age at the time of his father's death, but he lived at home until he attained his majority. His mother married again, her second husband being Harvey Hickcox, by whom she had three children, two of whom died in early life, while Eunice became the wife of Asoph King and removed to Central City, Nebraska. Mr. Hickcox died November 4, 1853, when Mr. Withrow was sixteen years of age. At that time the latter was assisting in the work of the home farm and following the death of his stepfather the care of the place largely devolved upon him. Prior to his marriage he purchased forty acres of land and after his marriage he rented land for a time and later made other purchases, adding to his holdings as opportunity offered until he was once the owner of nine hundred and twenty acres. His first forty acres had a mortgage of four hundred dollars upon it, on which he paid twenty per cent interest in advance. Such an exorbitant rate was discouraging, but he never allowed obstacles or difficulties to bar his path and with characteristic energy set to work to make the best of his opportunities. He lived in Phenix township until 1870 and then removed to Hanna township, where he engaged in general agricultural pursuits until 1893. In that year he took up his above in Geneseo, purchasing a fine home on Palace Row. He is now living retired save for the supervision which he gives to his invested interests, which yet include six hundred acres of the valuable farming land of this part of the state.

On the I St of January, 1860, Mr. Withrow was married to Miss Arvilla M. Allen, a daughter of Jonathan and Charlotte (Hatch) Allen. Mrs. Withrow was born in Lee county, Iowa, February 12, 1843, her parents were natives of Jefferson county, New York. Her paternal grandfather, Jonas Allen, was likewise a native of the Empire state and always followed farming. He married Sarah Dyke and died at Iron Bluffs, Nebraska, when he had reached an advanced age. His wife passed away in Fremont, Nebraska, at the home of her son. They reared seven children, Luther, Abram, Jonathan, Gilbert, Lois, Emily and Ann Mahala.

The maternal grandfather of Mrs. Withrow was Jacob Hatch, a native of New York, who also followed farming. His wife bore the maiden name of Elizabeth Wilde and died in Iowa. Mr. Hatch lived to be nearly one hundred years of age and spent his last days in Utah. The children of his first marriage were Hosea, Almira, Charlotte, Polly, Anna, Leighton, Isaac, William and Lewis. Having lost his first wife, Jacob Hatch married again but had only one daughter by the second union.

Mr, and Mrs. Allen, the parents of Mrs. Withrow, were reared and married in New York and on removing westward settled first in Lee county, Iowa, but in October, 1847, came to Henry county, Illinois, taking up their above in Phenix township. For a long period they were connected with farming interests, but at length removed to Geneseo, where Mr. Allen died in 1876 at the age of sixty-four years and his wife passed away in 1865. He held various township offices, the duties of which he discharged in a prompt and capable manner. For several years he was one of the county supervisors and served on the committee that built the jail. Unto him and his wife were born five children: Nancy Ada- Hne, who became the wife of Charles Linnell; Mary Angeline, the wife of James Withrow; Arvilla M., the wife of John W. Withrow; Lois A., the wife of Albert A. Colbert; and Dora A., the wife of Byron Coe,

The home of Mr. and Mrs. J. W. Withrow has been blessed with nine children. Francis O., the eldest, married Ella E. Kerr, and they have one son, Howard H., who married Mabel Wilkinson. Ira W., the second of the family, married Lucina Fuller, and they have three children, Roy W., Hazel G. and Claude F. Ida E. is the wife of Sherman W. Shafer and the mother of four children, Minnie B., John W.; Mary A. and Donald E. Nina D. is the wife of Clinton F. Luther and has two children, Francis Allen and John Withrow. Effie A. married

James Dana Buck, who died in June, 1895, leaving a daughter, Hattie R. George O. married Florence May Fuller and their four children are Otis D., Ethel A,, Charles and John Wesley. E. Lilburn died when a little more than a year old. Minnie Gertrude died when six months old. Raymond F., the youngest of the family, married Maude M. Schnabele.

Mr. Withrow is entitled to wear a Grand Army button from the fact that in 1865 he responded to the country's call for troops, enlisting in Company K, One Hundred and Twelfth Illinois Volunteer Infantry. He served as a private and was mustered out in August, 1865. His life work has been that of a successful farmer, whose energy and carefully directed labor brought him the success that makes him one of the extensive landowners and prosperous citizens of the community. For seventy-four years he has lived in Henry county and few of its settlers have so long witnessed its growth and development. He has witnessed many changes here for the county in his boyhood days was largely an undeveloped and sparsely settled district. Today almost every acre of land is under cultivation and the county contains some of the finest farms in this great state. Mr. Withrow has lived to see many changes in the methods of farming for the old time scythe, sickle and flail have given way to the thresher, self-binder and reaper. He has witnessed also many changes in other lines of life and rejoices in what the county has accomplished as the work of improvement has been carried steadily forward. He is one of the best known citizens of this part of the state and his record is a most creditable one, indicating what may be accomplished along the lines of determined and honorable labor.

As printed in the source¹. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.

FRANCIS OWEN WITHROW.

Francis Owen Withrow, one of the substantial agriculturists of Phenix township, who has been making a specialty of feeding and raising stock, is conveniently located on section 30, where he owns two hundred and fifty-five acres of rich farm land. He and his son together successfully operate four hundred and fifty-five acres. He was born just across the line in Geneseo township, December 15, 1860, being a son of J. M. and Asvilla M. (Allen) Withrow. When he was only six weeks old his father removed into Phenix township, locating on the farm now owned by him. This had been bought a short time before and paid for with corn valued at nine cents per bushel. At that time the farm only consisted of eighty acres, upon which the father built a brick house, the brick being made in Phenix township. When Francis was eleven years old his father bought another eighty acre farm, which was in Hanna township, and our subject lived there with the family until his marriage.

On October 5, 1882, Mr. Withrow married Ella Eusaba Kerr, who was born in Hanna township, a daughter of Thomas W. and Amanda (Henninger) Kerr, a sketch of whom appears elsewhere in this work. Buying one hundred and twenty acres, the young couple settled upon their farm. This was a portion of the land Mrs. Withrow's maternal grandfather had secured upon coming to Illinois. Here they lived for twelve years, when Mr. Withrow sold and bought his present farm, which is now very valuable. They had two children: Howard Hudson, born April 2, 1885; and Hattie Mildred, born May 26, 1898, who died at the age of five weeks.

Howard H. Withrow is a graduate of high school of the class of 1905, and remained at home until his marriage, on November 27, 1906, to Mabel E. Willkinson of Munson township, one of his classmates. For two years following his marriage the young man was assistant superintendent at the county infirmary and then returned to the farm, where he is working in conjunction with his father. He bought one hundred and fifteen acres in March, 1908, and has already materially increased its value.

Reared a republican Mr. Withrow voted for Blaine in 1884 and has taken an active part in politics ever since. While living in Hanna township he served as township clerk for four years. In 1900 he was elected supervisor of Phenix township and has held the office continuously since, making a remarkable record, for he has not missed a single meeting. He first served on the committee on township accounts for two years, then on that on roads and bridges, and while a member of it several new bridges were built. Both Mr. and Mrs. Withrow are members of the Methodist church and are active in its work. Fraternally he is a member of Geneseo Lodge, No. 72, I. O. O. F., filling all of the chairs; and of Geneseo Camp, No. 40, M. W. A. His wife belongs to the Ladies Aid Society of the Methodist church.

Mr. Withrow only received a common country school education and until he was twenty-one years old he worked for his father without remuneration, but he has succeeded in accumulating a desirable property and is regarded as one of the reliable and representative men of his community.

As printed in the source¹. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.

IRA W. WITHROW.

Ira W. Withrow, who has but recently joined the agriculturists of Edford township, owns one hundred and twenty acres of land on section 12, where he will carry on general farming. He was born in Phenix township, this county, August I, 1862, and is a son of J. W. and Arvilla M. (Allen) Withrow, a sketch of whose lives appears elsewhere in this volume. Until he was nine years of age he lived in the township of his birth and then with his parents removed to Hanna township, where he grew to manhood. He received his early education in the district schools and later enjoyed two winters' instruction under Professor Comstock at Colona. At the age of twenty-one he started out in life for himself as a farmer. For about two years he worked upon his father's farm in Hanna township, and then purchased a farm in that township, thereon he resided until 1892, when he removed to Geneseo. After a year's residence in the city he returned to Hanna township, where he remained four years. Then he sold the one hundred and thirty acres he owned there and bought an interest in an elevator in

Geneseo, where for three years he carried on a grain and coal business. When an opportune occasion arose he disposed of that and engaged in the grocery business, but only for a short time, for he returned to farming and for five years cultivated his father's place in Hanna township. In 1909 he bought his present home in Edford township and intends making it a profitable investment.

In Hanna township, December 17, 1884, Mr. Withrow was united in marriage to Miss Lucina Fuller. She was born in that township, to which her parents, Charles W. and Catherine (Brady) Fuller, came in the early years of its settlement. Their former home was in New York state. Three children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Withrow. Roy W., born in Hanna township, January 10, 1887, was graduated from the Geneseo high school, and now, after having taught for two years, is a student at Ann Arbor, where he pursued a course in literature. Hazel, born in Hanna township, January 1, 1891, was graduated from the Geneseo high school with the class of 1909. Claude, the youngest, was born in Hanna township, October 21, 1895.

The family are all members of the Methodist Episcopal church, in which Mr. Withrow has served as class leader and as superintendent and teacher in the Sunday school. In his political views he is a republican and is ever punctilious in his attendance at the polls at election times. Although he has never been a candidate for public office for three years he acted as assessor in Hanna township and for many years served as justice of the peace.

As printed in the source¹. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.

GEORGE OTIS WITHROW.

George Otis Withrow, a farmer who has engaged extensively in raising, feeding and shipping stock, lives at what is known as Valley Farm, on section 1, Hanna township, and owns one hundred and sixty acres in addition on section 2. He was born November 4, 1870, in Phenix township, in the old brick house which was erected by his father, J. W. Withrow, whose sketch appears in another part of this volume. He was only six months old when his parents removed to the place which is now his home. Here he grew to manhood, receiving a fair education in the public schools. Until he attained his majority he worked on the farm for his father, but when twenty-one years of age he assumed charge of a part of his father's land. For about a year after his marriage, which occurred in 1892, he lived in a Httle frame house on that part of the homestead and then removed to the main farm, which he managed until the fall of 1900. Then he bought the one hundred and sixty acres he now owns on section 2, Hanna township, and for six years made it his place of residence. During that period he made a number of important improvements, such as in 1901 building a fine barn and a little later putting up a corn crib, and doing other things of like character. In 1906 he returned to the home place, where he has since resided. Here he follows general farming but has given his attention particularly to the stock business, in which he has been very successful, shipping many head of fine cattle to market annually.

On the 2ist of September, 1892, in Phenix township, Mr. Withrow was united in marriage to Miss Florence May Fuller, a native of Hanna township, and a daughter of T. Dexter and Josephine (Mann) Fuller. Five children have been born to them: Otis Dexter, Ethel Arvilla May, Charles Raymond, John Wesley and Albert Mann. The last did not survive the period of infancy.

Mr. Withrow is a republican in his political views, and has played no inconsiderable part in local affairs, for not only has he held several offices within the gift of the people, but while he has been a public servant numerous changes of moment have been inaugurated. After having served as road commissioner for one term he was made supervisor of the township. During his term the board employed an accountant to go over the county books, which led to the installation of a new system of accounts, for though no intentional fraud was discovered there were several discrepancies and inaccuracies. While supervisor, Mr. Withrow was also a member of the educational commission and advocated the installation of a heating plant which his brother vigorously opposed. Upon the expiration of his term as supervisor he was appointed road commissioner, a position he holds to the present. In camp No. 40, M. W. A., Mr. Withrow finds relaxation from his daily cares in the congenial society of his friends, and in the Methodist Episcopal church, in which both he and his wife were reared, he finds the necessary spiritual guidance. A successful farmer and stockman, he is also a loyal friend and a good citizen, who enjoys the respect of his fellowmen.

As printed in the source¹. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.

WILLIAM HARVEY WITHROW.

William Harvey Withrow, one of the substantial farmers of Phenix township, was born in the house he now occupies, April 5, 1862, being a son of Amariah Withrow, a sketch of whom is to be found in this work. His boyhood was spent on this farm and he was given a fair common school education. Until he attained his majority he worked for his father and then began farming by the day among neighbors. In this way he earned money to buy the necessary farming implements and a team, and then he began operating his uncle's farm in Hanna township. For two years he continued there, afterward going to his paternal grandfather's farm. About 1892 he removed to his father's farm, which has since been his home. He also owns one hundred and four acres adjoining and operates both properties. At one time he owned eighty acres in Hardin township,, for which he paid thirty-one dollars per acre, but he later sold it at a profit.

On August 30, 1887, Mr. Withrow was married in Geneseo township, to Miss Perilezette Merrimen, of Phenix township, a daughter of William and Margaret (Carse) Merrimen, who ard now residing in Germany. While Mr. Withrow is an earnest republican he is not an office seeker. He belongs to Camp No. 40, M. W. A., and enjoys his association with his fellow members. An excellent farmer, good business man and reliable citizen, Mr. Withrow has not only succeeded in material things, but he has won the confidence and friendship of those with whom he has been brought in contact and is admitted to be one of the representative agriculturalists of Phenix township.

As printed in the source¹. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.